Inspectors praise pupils for outstanding behaviour (From Swindon Advertiser)

Inspectors praise pupils for outstanding behaviour

6:30pm Monday 17th September 2012 in News

PUPILS at Lawn Primary School can boast they are some of the best behaved in the town after government inspectors judged them as outstanding.

The school, in Cleeve Lawn, has been given an overall grade of good by Ofsted inspectors, but pupil behaviour and safety was given the top mark in the report.

Chris Davis, who has been headteacher since September 2009, said it was down to a team effort.

“We were thrilled. We were particularly pleased to get outstanding for the behaviour and safety of our pupils, and with the assessment of our strength moving forward.

“They also recognised the senior team and the governors and said we understand the school,” he said.

“The report said we are not yet an outstanding school but it is nice they are thinking of us in those terms. It is always nice to have a pat on the back no matter what you are doing.

“What they are saying is we have got it right but we are not outstanding yet because they haven’t seen us doing it for long enough.

“You are never quite sure the direction you are taking is the right one. This has given us a real boost to carry on. We will be building and trying to sustain the improvements we have made over a longer period. Everybody has worked together to get this result – pupils, parents, governors and staff.”

Over the past two years the school has received the Artsmark Gold Award, Healthy Eating Plus Award and holds the Dyslexia Friendly School Status.

Inspectors said: “This is a good school that promotes pupils’ academic and personal development well. Parents and carers agree and many made positive comments about the quality of teaching, the care and support pupils receive and the school’s good leadership.

“Although pupils of all abilities and backgrounds now make good progress and attainment rose sharply in 2012, attainment and progress have not been consistently above average over time.

“Behaviour is excellent. Pupils demonstrate high levels of concentration, perseverance and eagerness to learn. They show care for one another and respect for each other’s views.

“They display a mature awareness of potential dangers around them and make an excellent contribution to the school’s safe and positive learning environment.

“Staff and governors share the headteacher’s strength of purpose in moving the school forward, with the result that there has been significant and concerted focus on improving teaching and on managing the school’s performance which can be seen in rising attainment.”